IBM Positioned in the Leader Quadrant in E-Learning Content Magic Quadrant

Market Wire, November, 2004

IBM announced today that analyst firm Gartner has placed IBM in the leader quadrant in its latest Learning Magic Quadrant report titled "The 2004 E-Learning Content Magic Quadrant(1)." The report evaluated e-learning content providers on vision and execution. With this placement, IBM achieves "Leader" quadrant placement in all three of Gartner's 2004 Learning Magic Quadrant reports including E-Learning Suites(2) and Learning Management Systems(3).

According to the most recent Learning Magic Quadrant on E-Learning Content, content leaders have the highest combined measures of ability to execute and completeness of vision. They are doing well today and are prepared for the future. They must have broad content libraries or high-quality custom content creation capabilities, strong channel partners and consistent financial performance (revenue growth and cash generation).

"We are honored to be listed in the leader quadrant in Gartner's research," said Nancy DeViney, general manager, IBM Learning Solutions. "We feel this achievement demonstrates IBM's commitment to working with organizations to provide end-to-end learning solutions that support their transformation initiatives."

Through its Custom Learning Development Organization, IBM specializes in combining sound instructional design theory with IBM's leading edge technology and digital media to create the most effective learning solutions for both IBM and its clients. Using a highly experienced worldwide team of developers, IBM helps clients close learning gaps through a wide range of cost-effective learning solutions that include: Web-based training; gaming; simulation; collaboration; performance support; instructor-led training; and many others. In recognition of these solutions, IBM recently received five 2004 Brandon Hall Excellence in e-learning Awards.

About IBM Learning Solutions

IBM is the leading provider of learning solutions and IT training helping businesses improve workforce performance. IBM attends to the learning requirements of corporations, governments and educational institutions with an integrated portfolio of services, software, hardware, research and alliances with strategic business partners. IBM helps customers address their specific learning needs, ranging from learning infrastructure to broader transformation initiatives. With its global presence and extensive expertise, IBM draws on its world-class portfolio of software, hardware, custom content development capabilities, education and information technology services, research and award-winning experience to help customers realize the full potential of e-learning. For more information, visit www.ibm.com/learning.

Note: The Magic Quadrant is copyrighted November 2004 by Gartner, Inc. and is reused with permission, which permission should not be deemed to be an endorsement of any company or product depicted in the quadrant. The Magic Quadrant is Gartner, Inc.'s opinion and is an analytical representation of a marketplace at and for a specific time period. It measures vendors against Gartner defined criteria for a marketplace. The positioning of vendors within a Magic Quadrant is based on the complex interplay of many factors. Gartner does not advise enterprises to select only those firms in the "Leaders" quadrant. In some situations, firms in the Visionary, Challenger, or Niche Player quadrants may be the right matches for an enterprise's requirements. Well-informed vendor selection decisions should rely on more than a Magic Quadrant. Gartner research is intended to be one of many information sources including other published information and direct analyst interaction. Gartner, Inc. expressly disclaims all warranties, express or implied, of fitness of this research for a particular purpose.

(1) Magic Quadrant for E-Learning Content, 2004, W. Arevolo, J. Lundy, 20 October 2004

(2) Magic Quadrant for E-Learning Suites, 2004, J. Lundy, W. Arevolo, 15 March 2004

(3) Magic Quadrant for Learning Management Systems, 2H03, J. Lundy, W. Arevolo, 20 October 2003

Media Contact: Amy Bachenheimer IBM, IGS Communications 818-539-3117